The term “slut” usually brings to mind notions of provocatively dressed women. Images of scantily clad ladies, giving away their bodies without remorse wander through your thoughts. Well, take a cold drink of water and get ready to change because the sluts are fighting back.
SlutWalk, an international women’s movement and protest, is moving to reclaim the word “slut.” Women all over the country are planning a series of “parades” through towns in order to raise awareness about current ideology surrounding rape and sexual crimes against women.
The event that ignited the movement occurred in Toronto, Canada. An officer working for the Toronto Police Department, during a series of talks to women concerning sexual violence, suggested some controversial advice. The officer in question suggested to the women that they avoid “dressing like sluts” in order to lower their chances of being raped. Later, the officer was disciplined and apologized for his comments.
The SlutWalk Toronto website states, “We want to feel that we will be respected and protected should we ever need them, but more importantly be certain that those charged with our safety have a true understanding of what it is to be a survivor of sexual assault—slut or otherwise.”
There are two major defenses of this archaic system of thought. Firstly, that man has uncontrollable sex drives and, therefore, cannot resist a woman who is scantily clad. Secondly, those women who do dress in a manner considered sexy are “asking for it.” These reasons are what the scientific community would consider “absolute bullshit.”
Men do like sex. It’s a fairly obvious statement. Yet, a majority of men can still see a naked woman and not sexually assault her. By writing these atrocities off as “crimes of passion,” you undermine the entire nature of sexual crimes against women. These acts are about power— specifically, power over women. The will to dominate and control women is not mutually exclusive with the will to have sex.
Women are often accosted for dressing in a manner considered sexy or revealing. In commercials and movies, it is not uncommon to watch a scene in which a group of sweaty construction workers proceed to catcall the leggy blonde who happens to walk by. Media often portrays such behavior as acceptable, leaving the men left largely unpunished.
“We are making the statement that sluts consent too,” said Portland SlutWalk organizer Abigail Vernon. “Hopefully it will be heard far and wide so no one is ever told again that they were ‘asking for it.’ It is my hope that not only will we send our message, but also come together to embrace ‘slut’ and sexuality, so that when we all leave SlutWalk we will feel empowered to stand against stigma and oppression.”
Even amongst women, there exists a stigma of being considered a “slut.” At this point, women are denouncing each other for expressing their sexuality. A study published by the Cambridge University Press revealed that in 1995 there were “220 words for a sexually promiscuous woman but only 20 for a sexually promiscuous man” in the English language. Without all of the negative connotations that come with the word slut, it simply means a woman who has had multiple sexual partners. In a sex-driven society, is there really anything wrong with that?
“It doesn’t matter if you come dressed in a Burka or a bathing suit, as a boy or a girl or anywhere in between, sluts and allies alike. This event is not about a whole bunch of scantily clad people gathering in a public space, it is about sending a message that no one asks to be raped, regardless of their clothing, profession or attitude,” Vernon said.
While many women feel shamed when someone calls them a slut, this protest is planning to change how we view those who express their sexuality. By joining in, as a woman or ally, you will be helping to change the current system—a system that polices women to fit into accepted roles and denies them a chance to exist comfortably in their own skin.
The walk os scheduled for June 11. More information can be found on Portland SlutWalk’s website, Facebook or Twitter.
Get in touch with your inner slut; he or she isn’t so bad after all. ?